About Priya
Priya completed her Masters of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University after completing her Bachelors
of Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Priya has worked in the mental health field for four years specializing in individuals
struggling with depression, anxiety, and traumatic experiences. She has completed
training in Treating Chronic Shame and Complex Trauma, prior to her experience
supporting human trafficking survivors. Throughout her academic journey, she has also gained valuable experience through her role as an Emotional Support Facilitator and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Facilitator.
Priya views her role as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) as truly fulfilling. She
enjoys bearing witness to the positive impacts therapy has on her clients, and creates a safe and comforting space for all.
Working With Priya
Priya understands that the stigma behind seeking mental health support within the bipoc
community has such a strong impact on those struggling to manage their personal
experiences, emotions, and traumas. Thus, she uses a culturally sensitive and strengths-based approach when supporting all of the clients with whom she works.
Priya’s approach is not only very collaborative, but she works alongside her clients to create a
space that leads to positive change and ongoing support.
Experience:
Client Focus: Individuals, Youth, Teens, Adults, Couples
Types of therapy: CBT, SFT, EFT, Narrative, Culturally-Sensitive, Humanistic, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment, Strengths-Based
Issues: Anxiety, Trauma, Depression, Relationship Issues, Self-esteem, Grief, Infidelity, Fertility, Parenting issues, Pregnancy, Post-Partum
For more information, click here.
About Priya
Priya completed her Masters of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University after c...
Read More
About Sonja
Sonja is a Certified Music Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and Music Instructor for children and adolescents. Sonja earned her Master of Music Therapy degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she also obtained her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree with a minor in Psychology. Additionally, Sonja received her Neurologic Music Therapy certificate after completing her training with the Neurologic Music Therapy Academy back in 2020. Sonja also received a certificate after completing ASIST training (Assisted Suicide Intervention Skills Training) in April 2023 and completed a DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) Skills course to further enhance her ability in helping clients address issues in the therapeutic space.
Sonja has been musical all her life and started singing at a young age. Sonja participated in Serbian folklore for 15 years and was also involved in various choirs during high school. She always appreciated the sense of community and collaboration that choir would bring. In more recent years, Sonja has expanded her use of the guitar, and primarily uses voice and guitar in music-centered music therapy sessions. Sonja is bilingual and can facilitate sessions in both English and Serbian.
Working With Sonja
Sonja takes a humanistic, client-centered, and resource-oriented approach when working with each of her clients. She motivates clients to use their existing strengths to achieve positive growth and change and utilizes a variety of musical and traditional talk-based therapeutic interventions to help meet the needs of her clients as well as their families. Sonja believes in the benefits that a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental therapeutic presence can have for clients to feel safe enough to express emotions, work through conflicts, improve relationships, and experience mastery.
Experience: Sonja began working as a Music Therapist in early 2021, after completing her 1000-hour internship in a Toronto-based pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the winter of 2020. Sonja has also worked in other healthcare and home-based settings including private practice with children, adolescents, and adults on the Autism Spectrum, community mental health programs, group homes, violence against women shelters, long-term care, retirement homes, adult day programs, and palliative/oncology care in hospital. Sonja also enjoys teaching adapted and “traditional” music lessons for children and adolescents looking to learn guitar or piano. Sonja has also facilitated music classes and/or music therapy sessions for early childhood development goals with infants or toddlers with caregivers.
Client Focuses: Children, Adolescents, Adults, Older Adults, Individuals, Families
Types of therapy: Music Psychotherapy, Music Therapy, Music-Centered Music Therapy, aspects from DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), Resource-Oriented, Culture-Informed, Client-Centered
Common Issues/ Diagnoses: Autism, ADHD, ADD, Developmental Disabilities, Medically Fragile/Complex, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Alzheimer’s/Dementia + Mental Health Diagnoses, Anxiety/Depression, Confidence and Self-Esteem, Family Relationships, Stress Management, Life Transitions & Adjustment to Change, Palliative Care
For more information, click here
About Sonja
Sonja is a Certified Music Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), and Mu...
Read More
About Julia:
Scheduling Returning Clients Only
Julia is an Accredited Music Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist-Qualifying, and Private Music Educator based in Mississauga, Ontario. Julia first earned her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree with a Minor in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, followed by her Master of Counselling Psychology degree at Yorkville University. Additionally, Julia received her Neurologic Music Therapy certificate after completing her training with the Neurologic Music Therapy Academy back in 2017.
Julia understands the importance of great mentorship and the effect it has on overall success, self-confidence, and wellness. Growing up, Julia had many great mentors who encouraged musical and personal growth in nurturing ways. Now, as an established Music Psychotherapist and Educator herself, Julia believes in using creativity and care in ways that inspire personal development, growth and healing.
Working with Julia:
Julia takes a collaborative and supportive approach when working with each of her clients. She offers quality care that focuses on one’s individuality and uniqueness, and utilizes a variety of musical and traditional talk-based therapeutic intervention to help meet the needs and goal areas of her clients (and their families).
Experience: Julia began working as a Music Therapist in 2018, after completing her 1000-hour internship in hospice and long-term care settings. In the Fall of 2022, Julia received her qualifying status as a Registered Psychotherapist and began practicing Psychotherapy in Private Practice. Julia has also been offering private music instruction for over 6 years now!
Client Focuses: Children, Teens, Adolescents, Adults, Families
Types of therapy: Cognitive Behavioural (CBT), Narrative, Psychodynamic, Solution-Focused, Strengths-Based, Trauma-Informed, Music-Centered
Common Issues/ Diagnoses: Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, Confidence, Stress, Burnout, Trauma, Autism, Special Needs, Intellectual Disability, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Relationships, End of Life, Palliative Care, Loss/ Grief, Self-Harm, Suicide, Life Transition, Parenting, Family Breakdown
For more information, click here!
About Julia:
Scheduling Returning Clients Only
Julia is an Accredited Music Therapist, Registere...
Read More
About Noreen
Noreen, a Certified Music Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist, and Clinical Supervisor, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Music, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, and a Masters in Music Therapy, all from Wilfrid Laurier University. Noreen also received training as a Neurologic Music Therapist and continues her post-graduate learning with further training in CBT, solution-focused coaching, narrative therapy, and trauma-informed care.
Working with Noreen
So often, Noreen finds that the world today is struggling with a lack of connection. Whether it’s the connection between parent and child, siblings, individual to group, or the connection we feel deep within ourselves, many are feeling lost, unheard, and alone. There’s no doubt that it can be difficult to seek help and support, so Noreen is glad you’re here - as she believes it truly takes courage to reach out and advocate for ourselves and our loved ones.
As a Registered Psychotherapist and Music Therapist, Noreen utilizes a holistic, individualized therapeutic approach to accommodate each client’s varied experience, needs, and outcome for therapy. She strives to create a safe, accepting, positive, and comfortable environment; one in which you can continue to learn more about yourself, develop helpful skills, and grow.
Client Focus: Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Types of therapy: Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy, Expressive and Receptive Communication Skill Development, Social-Emotional Learning, Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, Trauma-Informed Care, Parenting
Common Issues/ Diagnoses: Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, Confidence, Stress, Burnout, Trauma, Autism, ADHD, ADD, Special Needs, Intellectual Disability, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Relationships, End of Life, Palliative Care, Loss/ Grief, Life Transition, Parenting, Family Breakdown
For more information, click here!
About Noreen
Noreen, a Certified Music Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist, and Clinical Superv...
Read More
About Melissa
(Supervised by Noreen Donnell, RP)
Melissa completed her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree with a minor in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Throughout her academic journey, she has gained valuable experience through internships at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Let’s Grow Learning and Living Hub, and academic placements at various community settings. She has worked with diverse populations, including children, youth, and adults with a wide range of special needs and diagnoses.
Melissa has been a musician for over 10 years and has additional experience providing private music instruction to those with various strengths and abilities. Melissa views her role as a Music Therapist and Educator as one that is highly rewarding and fulfilling. She believes that it is so special to have the opportunity to assist others by utilizing something she is so passionate about; music!
Working with Melissa
Melissa utilizes a client-centered approach throughout the therapeutic process,
ensuring that every client has the opportunity to direct their own course in therapy. As a result, clients receive a customized therapeutic experience, regardless of their musical experiences, needs and/or desired goal areas.
Melissa values the therapeutic relationship and aims to create a safe, inclusive and encouraging environment for all of those welcomed into her clinical space.
Experience: Melissa has experience working with a variety of needs, ages and diagnoses, in various community and private settings. Since completing her 1000-hour Music Therapy internship in the Spring of 2023, Melissa has been an incredible asset and team member at Shine. She is valued for her dedication and commitment to quality client care!
Client Focus: Families, Individuals, Children, Youth, Teens, Adults, Seniors
Types of therapy: Music Therapy, Music-Centered, Client-Centered, Solutions-Focused, Holistic
Common Issues/ Diagnoses: Autism, Self-esteem, Confidence, ADHD, ADD, Special needs, Intellectual Disability, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Anxiety, Depression, Traumatic Brain Injury, End of life, Palliative Care, Loss/Grief
For more information, click here!
About Melissa
(Supervised by Noreen Donnell, RP)
Melissa completed her Bachelor of Music Therap...
Read More
